Food & Cooking Recipes Holidays & Events Christmas Recipes 23 Christmas Appetizers to Kick Off All Your Festive Celebrations Classics (like pigs in a blanket) meet new favorites (like shrimp salad canapés). By Rebecca Morris Rebecca Morris Rebecca is a writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines and Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years. Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 9, 2024 Close Photo: Aya Brackett There's a long and storied tradition of welcoming dinner guests by way of a starter bite or two. Appetizers can also set the mood and be a real party-saver if the main meal is running a little behind schedule. Just remember this: During the holiday season, you'll want to choose appetizers that feel special enough for the occasion. Whether you want to prepare something quick and easy or take the whole day to master a new pastry technique, we have a delicious Christmas appetizer idea for every type of host. Some are rich and decadent, others are meaty classics, and some are just plain fun and delicious. Whichever route you choose, you're bound to delight your loved ones. 18 Best Hors d'Oeuvres and Appetizers for Entertaining 01 of 23 Potato Croquettes Grant Webster A beloved finger food, these crispy potato apps always disappear fast at parties. Serve them with a sauce for dipping. We like Herb Mayonnaise or Three-Ingredient Marinara. View Recipe 02 of 23 Three-Cheese Artichoke-and-Sun-Dried-Tomato Dip Lennart Weibull A hot cheese dip? Yes please! This sophisticated take blends cream cheese, Colby Jack, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, then adds chopped marinated artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes before the dish finishes in the oven. View Recipe 03 of 23 Smoked Salmon-Radish Deviled Eggs Mike Krautter A luxurious take on that all-time favorite, the deviled egg, this extra-festive deviled egg has smoked salmon blended into the yolk. Little bits of peppery, fresh radish contrast with the richness of the silky salmon and egg. View Recipe 04 of 23 Salmon-and-Mashed-Potato Croquettes Lennart Weibull Crispy and golden brown, these croquettes have a coating of panko breadcrumbs around a filling of fluffy mashed potatoes and salmon. You can use tinned salmon or smoked, but either way, they're the perfect bite for a holiday celebration. View Recipe 05 of 23 Three-Cheese Gougères Johnny Miller These delicate, savory French cheese puffs never fail to impress. They strike that perfect balance between indulgent, but not too filling. View Recipe 06 of 23 Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket Kirsten Francis A staple at cocktail parties and get-togethers from the past, this retro favorite will never go out of style. Our pull-apart version takes it to the next level. View Recipe 07 of 23 Brown-Butter Nut Mix With Rosemary and Thyme Coated with a sweet-savory mixture of rosemary and brown sugar, these party nuts are the crunchy and delicious snack you've been looking forward to all year. View Recipe 08 of 23 Savory Crepe Rollups Lennart Weibull A fun way to incorporate the Christmas colors of red and green into your spread is to roll them up in these savory one-bite appetizers. Tender crepes make a great wrapper and can be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated until you're ready to roll. View Recipe 09 of 23 Baked Brie With Boozy Fruit Aya Brackett It would be unthinkable to leave a brie-en-croute off of a "best-of" appetizer list. This version includes a side of port-spiked fruit compote to balance out the bites of rich gooey cheese and flaky puff pastry. View Recipe 10 of 23 Herby Shrimp-and-Feta Bake Johnny Miller A departure from the same-old shrimp cocktail, this Mediterranean-inspired appetizer features the plump, tender shrimp and briny feta practically swimming in an aromatic sea of olive oil. In case it wasn't already clear, serving this dish with crusty bread for dipping is a must! View Recipe 11 of 23 Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread Bryan Gardner Go all out with this homemade pull-apart bread that is shaped like a Christmas tree, and decorate it with edible baubles like rosemary, mini mozzarella balls, and tiny chile peppers. View Recipe 12 of 23 Gooey Gouda Puff-Pastry Bites Con Poulos Our gouda puff pastry bites take just 15 minutes to prepare and come out looking as festive as ever. The recipe calls for lingonberry jam, giving it a pop of color and sweetness against the buttery pastry. View Recipe 13 of 23 Goat-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms José Manuel Picayo Rivera These cheesy stuffed mushrooms are as delicious as they are easy to make; they come together in just three steps. The creamy filling can get blitzed in a food processor. View Recipe 14 of 23 Harissa, Goat Cheese, and Herb Tart Bryan Gardner Store-bought puff pastry makes this appetizer quick and easy to make, while toppings of spicy harissa and creamy goat cheese make it special enough to serve for a classier occasion. View Recipe 15 of 23 Devils on Horseback Rachel Marek Here's another retro appetizer that has stood the test of time—and that's because it is one of the simplest bites you could make and has the most going on in terms of texture and flavor. Sweet dates are stuffed with blue cheese and encased in smoky bacon. It's no surprise that we can't get enough. View Recipe 16 of 23 Tomato Burrata Bites Bryan Gardner Tomato burrata bites are a go-to no-bake appetizer that is perfect for all your holiday parties this season. The red, white, and green color scheme makes them even more festive than the rest. Their small size is easy to pass around throughout the evening and takes up minimal space in the fridge. View Recipe 17 of 23 Beet, Cheddar, and Apple Tarts Bryan Gardner Bite-sized tarts are a holiday favorite due to their festive presentation; no silverware is needed, and they create delicious flavor combinations all in one. These beet, cheddar, and apple tarts are sure to impress your guests and are ready for serving in under 30 minutes, saving you time in the kitchen. View Recipe 18 of 23 Cantaloupe and Mozzarella With Prosciutto and Basil The perfect addition to any holiday charcuterie board. Serving the prosciutto with cantaloupe, mozzarella, and basil not only looks beautiful out on display, but the savory and sweet flavors complement each other with each bite. View Recipe 19 of 23 Easy Baked Brie With Pecans David Loftus Baked brie cheese is a must at any holiday party. If you're in a time crunch for preparing what you will bring, look no further than our baked brie with pecans. You can assemble it all together and warm it up once you arrive at the party for the best results. View Recipe 20 of 23 Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts Bryan Gardner Let's face it: anything wrapped in bacon is delicious. This recipe includes maple syrup for a little added sweetness to each bite. Serve alongside a zesty mustard for dipping. View Recipe 21 of 23 Warm Bruschetta With Tomatoes and Feta Brie Goldman Our simple bruschetta recipe is perfect for the holidays due to the festive red and green color scheme, and your guests will love it. You can easily pull together this appetizer with tomatoes, feta, olive oil, and garlic on a toasted sliced baguette topped with fresh basil. View Recipe 22 of 23 Mushroom-and-Goat-Cheese Purses We love these mushroom and goat cheese purses during the holidays. The buttery puff pastry and savory flavors of the mushrooms make for an irresistible appetizer to pass around. Plus, the prep work is minimal and comes together in 25 minutes. View Recipe 23 of 23 Dates and Blue Cheese Sharon Radisch This simple, salty, and sweet combination requires minimal preparation and makes for the perfect bite-sized appetizer to set out for guests before dinner. Serve it on a festive platter, then top it off with chopped almonds and a honey drizzle. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit